Automated vehicle sunshade

ABSTRACT

An automated vehicle sunshade includes a compartment mountable to a roof of a vehicle, a flexible shade, a plurality of rods coupled to the flexible shade and a drive device coupled to the plurality of rods. The plurality of rods are retractable and extendable so that the sunshade repeatably alternates between an extended position and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the flexible shade, plurality of rods and drive device are enclosed within the compartment. The sunshade also includes guide wires and support wires for properly guiding and supporting the flexible shade during retracting and extending.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of the earlier U.S. Utility patentapplication entitled “AUTOMATED VEHICLE SUNSHADE,” Ser. No. 11/695,522,filed Apr. 2, 2007, now pending, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application entitled “AUTOMATED VEHICLE SUNSHADE,”Ser. No. 60/744,093, filed Mar. 31, 2006, the disclosures of which arehereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates generally to a vehicle sunshade and moreparticularly to an automated vehicle sunshade.

2. State of the Art

Vehicles are driven to various places that people need to go and areoften parked in a parking lot that is open and exposed to the elementsof nature. The weather conditions often affect the vehicles parked inthese types of parking lots. One type of weather condition that is ofparticular concern is a sunny, hot day. With the temperature being hotand a vehicle exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, the raysof the sun enter the vehicle through the windows and the vehicle becomeshotter than the ambient temperature outside of the vehicle. This oftencauses great discomfort for people who must then enter the vehicle andin some instances can even cause harm such as burning of the personwithin the car.

This concern is greater in regional locations where the temperature isconsistently hot for a substantial period of time. In these types oflocations, people often tint their vehicle windows and/or useconventional sunshades in an attempt to block or deflect at least aportion of the sun rays entering the vehicle. While shade serves toprovide a much cooler vehicle, the conventional sunshades have severallimitations.

Conventional sunshades are typically made for use on the windshield.This allows the owner of the vehicle to block a portion of the sun fromentering the car, but cannot block the sun from entering all of thewindows of the vehicle. Often, the owner will park in such a directionthat most of the sun will be blocked during the time the vehicle isparked in that particular location.

Further, other typical sunshades may be used to block the sun fromportions of other windows by use of sunshades with suction cups toretain them on the window. These often fall and do not cover the entirewindow, thereby exposing the inside of the vehicle to the sun.Additionally, as the type of vehicle changes, the need for differenttypes of sunshades is required to account for the varying types ofwindows on the vehicle.

Conventional sunshades are limited to only providing shade to the innerportion of the vehicle and do not protect the outer vehicle parts fromexposure to the sun. For example, and not as a limitation, vehicle doorsand door handles are often formed of a type of metal. The metal exposedto the sun often heats to a degree that it is hot to the touch causingdifficulty to the person attempting to open the hot door who must graspthe hot handle. Further still, the vehicle engine is hot and startingcan result in inefficient starting and consumption of greater fuel.

Due to the limitations of conventional sunshades, owners often use othermeans to block the sun from certain vehicle parts. For example, andwithout limitation, a steering wheel cover is used to protect thesteering wheel and provide a material that does not heat as easily, atowel or other cover is used to cover parts such as a seat belt buckle,a car seat and even leather or vinyl seats.

Additionally, while the sun is often a problem in warmer climates,colder climates have other needs with their vehicle windows. Forexample, in climates were there is snow, conventional methods ofremoving snow from a window of a vehicle include the use of a brush tobrush the windows free from snow. Additionally, in cold climates, iceforms on the windshield and other vehicle windows. An ice scrapper isoften utilized to free the window from ice.

Accordingly, there is a need in the field of vehicle sunshades for animproved vehicle sunshade.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an automated vehicle sunshade thatprovides shade to all windows of a vehicle independent of the sunlocation and further provides shade to portions of the vehicle exterior.

An aspect of the present invention includes an automated vehiclesunshade comprising a compartment mountable to a roof of a vehicle, aflexible shade, retractable, extendable rods having a slight curvaturecoupled to the flexible shade and extendable to extend the shade overthe vehicle and retractable to bring the shade within the compartment,guide wires coupled to the shade for providing proper guidance when theshade is retracted, and a drive device for driving the retractableextendable rods, wherein the compartment retains the shade, theretractable extendable rods, the guide wires and the drive device withinthe compartment when the shade is retracted.

The vehicle sunshade may further comprise, in other aspects of thepresent invention, a remote control for remotely activating thesunshade. The automated sunshade may further comprise a sensor thatactivates the drive device if certain weather conditions are sensed.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the following more detailed description of theparticular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automated sunshade mounted on avehicle, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an automated sunshade, in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of an automated sunshade in anextended position, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a drive device of an automated sunshade,in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of an automated sunshade, inaccordance with the present invention

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a reception circuit using an RWS-434 RFreceiver;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a connection of a start motor to anautomated vehicle sunshade;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a transmitter using a TWS 434Atransmitter;

FIG. 9 is a side view of two antennas of an automated vehicle sunshade;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a connection of an automated vehiclesunshade with a vehicle;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a connector to an automated vehiclesunshade;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a connector connected to a drive deviceof an automated vehicle sunshade;

FIG. 13 is schematic view of a control circuit used with a vehicle alarmsystem;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of a connection of a start motor to anautomated vehicle sunshade used with a vehicle alarm system;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a connection of an automated vehiclesunshade with a vehicle alarm system;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a connector for use with an automatedvehicle sunshade configured for use with a vehicle alarm system;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view of a connector connected to a drive deviceof an automated vehicle sunshade configured for use with a vehicle alarmsystem;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a reception circuit using an SILRX-433-5radio receiver;

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic view of a connection of a start motor to anautomated vehicle sunshade using an SILRX-433-5 radio receiver;

FIG. 20 is a schematic view of a transmitter using a TMX-433-5transmitter;

FIG. 21 is a side view of two antennas of an automated vehicle sunshadeconfigured for use with an SILRX-433-5 radio receiver;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a connection of an automated vehiclesunshade configured for use with an SILRX-433-5 radio receiver with avehicle;

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of a connector to an automated vehiclesunshade configured for use with an SILRX-433-5 radio receiver; and

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a connector connected to a drive deviceof an automated vehicle sunshade configured for use with an SILRX-433-5radio receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to anautomated vehicle sunshade that provides shade to all windows of avehicle independent of the sun location and further provides shade toportions of the vehicle exterior.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2C, particular embodiments of the presentinvention include an automated vehicle sunshade 10. The sunshade 10comprises a compartment 12, retractable extendable rods 14, supportwires 16, guide wires 18 and 20, a shade 22 and a drive device 30. Theretractable extendable rods 14 comprise a first end 13 and a second end15 and may be telescopically extendable and retractable between anextended and a retracted position. The rods 14 may further have apredetermined curvature, such that when in the extended position, thesecond end 15 of the rods 14 extends below the first end 13 of the rods14. Each retractable extendable rod 14 may be coupled at one end to thedrive device 30 and at the other end to an end of the rod cable 16. Theother end of the rod cable 16 may be coupled to the drive device 30below the rod 14. The rod cable 16 may provide support for the rod 14when the rod 14 is in the extended position. When the rod 14 isextended, the rod cable 16 is free to extend with the rod 14 into theextended position. When the rod 14 is retracted, the rod cable 16 isalso retracted.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, that thecurvature of the rods 14 is not limited in the amount of curvature. Solong as the rods 14 may be retracted within the compartment 12, thecurvature of the rods 14 is proper. Further still, it will be understoodthat the present invention is not limited to rods, but may use othertypes of devices to support the shade, such as, but not limited tohinged members such as metal and the like in a zigzag configuration.

The shade 22 may be coupled to the retractable extendable rods 14. Forthe exemplary purposes of this disclosure and not as a limitation, theshade 22 may be a frusto-pyramidal shape. The corners 24 of the shade 22may be coupled to the second ends 15 of the retractable extendable rods14. A center portion 26 of the shade 22 may be coupled to thecompartment 12. The guide wires 18 may be transverse to the guide wires20, wherein the guide wires 18 and 20 are coupled on one end to edges ofthe shade 22 extending between each of the second ends 15 of the rods 14and coupled to the drive device 30 on another end. The guide wires 18and 20 may be free to extend when the rods 14 are moved into theextended position. The guide wires 18 and 20 provide support andguidance for properly retracting the shade 22 within the compartment 12,wherein the drive device 30 retracts the guide wires 18 and 20, therebyretracting and folding in the shade 22. The drive device 30 may havegear ratios driving the retracting of each of the guide wires 18 and 20,the support wires 16 and the rods 14 wherein the retraction of each ofthe guide wires 18 and 20, the support wires 16 and the rods 14 occursubstantially contemporaneously.

The shade 22 may be formed of a flexible, durable material that mayeasily be folded to a size that fits within the compartment 12. Further,particular embodiments of the present invention may include a shade thathas apertures extending through portions of the shade to allow air andwind to pass through, thereby allowing the shade 22 to remain open in acertain amount of wind without causing damage to the sunshade 10.

Referring further to the drawings, FIG. 3 depicts a portion of anautomated vehicle sunshade 10 in an extended position according toparticular embodiments of the present invention. In operation and withreference to FIG. 3, the automated sunshade 10 may be opened into anextended position. The compartment 12 may further comprise moveable flapportions 11. The flap portions 11 are moveable between an opened and aclosed position wherein the opened position allows the shade to beextended and the closed position retains all the components of thesunshade 10 within the compartment 12. The drive device 30, covered bydrive cover 31, may be activated, wherein the drive device extends theretractable extendable rods 14. As the rods 14 begin to extend, the rods14 may engage the flap portions 11 and move the flaps 11 into the openedposition. The support wires 16 and the guide wires 18 and 20 are notinhibited from extending with the rods 14. As the rods 14 extend, theshade 22 (as shown in FIG. 1) pulls the guide wires 18 and 20 into theextended position. Once the rods 14 are fully extended, the drive device30 is automatically deactivated and the shade remains in the extendedposition. When in the extended position, the shade 22 may provide shadefor not only all of the windows, but may also provide shade for aportion of the vehicle, including, but not limited to potions of thedoor, door handles, a portion of the hood, a portion of the trunk andthe roof. This enables a user of the sunshade 10 to protect himself orherself from injury from touching hot metal when opening the vehicledoor, and further provides shade to the hood and roof of the car tofurther limit the amount of heat transfer into the vehicle.

When shade is no longer desired over the vehicle, the sunshade 10 may beretracted. The drive device 30 may then be activated again. The drivedevice 30 now begins to retract the rods 14, the support wires 16 andthe guide wires 18 and 20 substantially contemporaneously. Theretraction of the guide wires 18 and 20 along with the rods 14 mayprovide proper folding of the shade such that the shade is folded into asize that fits within the compartment 12. Once the rods 14, supportwires 16 and the guide wires 18 and 20 are fully retracted, the drivedevice 30 further retracts compartment cables 28, wherein thecompartment cables 28 are coupled to the flaps 11. As the drive device30 retracts the compartment cables 28, the flaps 11 are moved into theclosed position and retain the other components of the sunshade 10within the compartment 12. Once the flaps 11 are fully closed, the drivedevice 30 may automatically deactivate.

In other particular embodiments, the flaps 11 of the compartment 12 maybe opened and closed automatically, such as by use of an actuator. Theactuator may be, but is not limited to, hydraulic cylinders,mechanically driven linkages, slide mechanisms, and the like, so long asthe flaps 11 may be automatically opened and closed.

Referring further to the drawings, FIG. 4 depicts a particularembodiment of a drive device 30 in accordance to the present invention.The drive device 30 may comprise gears 32, 33, 34 and 35, motor 36 androd cables 38. In operation, the motor 36 may be activated, wherein theactivation of the motor 36 actuates the rotation of the gears 32, 33, 34and 35. The gears 32, 33, 34 and 35 may be coupled to the rod cables 38as well as the support wires 16 and the guide wires 18 and 20. The rodcables 38 extend and retract the rods 14 by mechanically coupling therods to the drive device 30. The gears 32, 33, 34 and 35 have ratiosthat provide substantially contemporaneous extension and retraction ofthe rods 14, the support wires 16 and the guide wires 18 and 20. Themotor 36 may be an electrical motor and has a power source and acontroller. The controller of the drive device 30 provides the properinformation as to when to activate and deactivate the motor 36.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that whileparticular gears are shown, the orientation, placement and gear ratiosmay be any type of orientation, placement and gear ratio, so long as theshade is foldable within the compartment 12 and contained within thecompartment 12.

Referring again to the drawings, FIGS. 5A-5B depicts another embodimentof a vehicle sunshade 250. The sunshade 250 my have compartmentcomprising a cover 251 and a base 256. When the sunshade 250 isactivated, the cover 251 extends in a direction away from the base 256.The cover 251 may further have two sets of opposing flaps 252 and 254.The flaps 252 and 254 may rotate so as to not inhibit the extension ofthe shade 260 from the base 256. The operation of other components ofthe vehicle sunshade 250 is the same as the operation of otherembodiments of the present invention.

With further reference to the drawings and for the exemplary purposes ofthis disclosure, FIGS. 6-12 depict a particular embodiment an automatedvehicle sunshade utilizing an RWS-434 radio frequency receiver and aTWS-434A transmitter in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6shows a reception circuit 50 using the RWS-434 receiver. The circuitincludes among other components, a tuner 52, a tuner connector 54 toconnect the tuner 52 to the circuit 50, a battery connector 56, astarter connector 58, a drive device male connector 60 and an antenna62. The antenna 62 receives the signal in accordance to the frequencyprovided by the tuner 52. The battery connector 56 provides theconnection to a power source to operate the circuit 50. The maleconnector 60 is used to connect to the drive device of the vehiclesunshade. The starter connector 58 allows the starter of the vehicle tobe connected to the circuit 50.

FIG. 7 shows a connection 70 to the start motor in accordance withparticular embodiments of the present invention. The connection includesa starter 72, a car motor 74 and a connector 78. The connector 78 isconnected to the starter connector 58 of the circuit 50 of FIG. 6. Asthe key 76 is turned to the off position, the sunshade may then beactivated and extended. When the key 76 is turned to the on position,the sunshade must be closed.

FIG. 8 shows a TWS-434A transmitter 80 in accordance with particularembodiments of the present invention. The transmitter 80 includes anactivation switch 82 that may include antenna connectors 86. Thetransmitter 80 also includes an antenna 84. The antenna 84 may havestarter connectors 88 that are correspondingly connectable to theantenna connectors 86 of the activation switch 82. The activation switch82 allows the transmitter 80 to transmit a signal at a predeterminedfrequency that may be received by a receiver of a vehicle sunshade toextend or retract the shade.

FIG. 9 depicts antennas 90 and 92 that may be used with each thetransmitter 80 and the receiver 50. The antenna 90 is a helical antenna,while the antenna 92 is a whip antenna. It will be understood that othervarious types of antennas may be used.

FIG. 10 depicts a receiver circuit 94 connected to a vehicle 90 inaccordance with particular embodiments of the present invention. Thecircuit is connected to a key code receiver 92. The circuit receiver 94may then have the male circuit coupled to a roof portion of the vehicle90 to connector to the vehicle sunshade. The keys 100 may then have atransmitter to activate the sunshade.

FIGS. 11 and 12 depict a connector 110 to the vehicle sunshade drivedevice. The connector includes a first motor 112, a second motor 114 anda connector 116. The connector connects each of the motors 112 and 114to the drive device 120 of the sunshade to extend and retract the shadeproperly, and substantially simultaneously. The connector may also becoupled to a tilt sensor 122. The tilt sensor 122 allows the sunshade todetermine if the weather is too adverse for the shade to remainextended. If the tilt sensor 122 determines that the shade has tilted apredetermined number of degrees, the vehicle sunshade may automaticallyretract to avoid damage.

Referring again to the drawings and for the exemplary purposes of thisdisclosure, FIGS. 13-17 depict a particular embodiment an automatedvehicle sunshade utilizing a vehicle alarm transmitter in accordancewith the present invention. FIG. 13 shows a control circuit 130. Thecircuit 130 includes among other components, a switch 132, a batteryconnector134, a starter connector 136 and a drive device male connector138. The battery connector 134 provides the connection to a power sourceto operate the circuit 130. The male connector 138 is used to connect tothe drive device of the vehicle sunshade. The starter connector 136allows the starter of the vehicle to be connected to the circuit 130.

FIG. 14 shows a connection 140 to the start motor in accordance withparticular embodiments of the present invention. The connection includesa starter 142, a car motor 144 and a connector 148. The connector 148 isconnected to the starter connector 136 of the circuit 130 of FIG. 13. Asthe key 146 is turned to the off position, the sunshade may then beactivated and extended. When the key 146 is turned to the on position,the sunshade must be closed.

FIG. 15 depicts a control circuit 154 connected to a vehicle 150 inaccordance with particular embodiments of the present invention. Thecontrol circuit 154 and a key code receiver 152 are each connected to avehicle alarm controller 158. The control circuit 154 may then have themale connector 156 coupled to a roof portion of the vehicle 150 toconnector to the vehicle sunshade. The keys 159 may then have atransmitter to activate the alarm and by activation of the alarm, thesunshade may also extend. Deactivating the alarm may cause the shade toretract.

FIGS. 16 and 17 depict a connector 160 to the vehicle sunshade drivedevice. The connector includes a first motor 162, a second motor 164 anda connector 166. The connector connects each of the motors 162 and 164to the drive device 170 of the sunshade to extend and retract the shadeproperly, and substantially simultaneously. The connector may also becoupled to a tilt sensor 168. The tilt sensor 168 allows the sunshade todetermine if the weather is too adverse for the shade to remainextended. If the tilt sensor 168 determines that the shade has tilted apredetermined number of degrees, the vehicle sunshade may automaticallyretract to avoid damage.

Another particular embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS.18-24, include an automated vehicle sunshade that utilizes a SILRX-433-5radio receiver, which integrates a complete FM superhet UHF radioreceiver on a small module. FIG. 18 shows a reception circuit 180 usingthe SILRX-433-5 receiver. The circuit 180 includes among othercomponents, a tuner 182, a tuner connector 184 to connect the tuner 182to the circuit 180, a battery connector 186, a starter connector 188, adrive device male connector 190 and an antenna 192. The antenna 192receives the signal in accordance to the frequency provided by the tuner182. The battery connector 186 provides the connection to a power sourceto operate the circuit 180. The male connector 190 is used to connect tothe drive device of the vehicle sunshade. The starter connector 188allows the starter of the vehicle to be connected to the circuit 180.

FIG. 19 shows a connection 200 to the start motor in accordance withparticular embodiments of the present invention. The connection includesa starter 202, a car motor 204 and a connector 208. The connector 208 isconnected to the starter connector 188 of the circuit 180 of FIG. 18. Asthe key 206 is turned to the off position, the sunshade may then beactivated and extended. When the key 206 is turned to the on position,the sunshade must be closed.

FIG. 20 shows a TMX-433-5 transmitter 210 in accordance with particularembodiments of the present invention. The transmitter 210 includes anactivation switch 212 that may include antenna connectors 216. Thetransmitter 210 also includes an antenna 214. The antenna 214 may havestarter connectors 218 that are correspondingly connectable to theantenna connectors 216 of the activation switch 212. The activationswitch 212 allows the transmitter 210 to transmit a signal at apredetermined frequency that may be received by a receiver of a vehiclesunshade to extend or retract the shade.

FIG. 21 depicts antennas 217 and 219 that may be used with each thetransmitter 210 and the receiver 180. The antenna 217 is a helicalantenna, while the antenna 219 is a whip antenna. It will be understoodthat other various types of antennas may be used.

FIG. 22 depicts a receiver circuit 224 connected to a vehicle 220 inaccordance with particular embodiments of the present invention. Thecircuit is connected to a key code receiver 222. The circuit receiver224 may then have the male connector 226 coupled to a roof portion ofthe vehicle 220 to connector to the vehicle sunshade. The keys 228 maythen have a transmitter to activate the sunshade.

FIGS. 23 and 24 depict a connector 230 to the vehicle sunshade drivedevice. The connector includes a first motor 232, a second motor 234 anda connector 236. The connector connects each of the motors 232 and 234to the drive device 240 of the sunshade to extend and retract the shadeproperly, and substantially simultaneously. The connector may also becoupled to a tilt sensor 242. The tilt sensor 242 allows the sunshade todetermine if the weather is too adverse for the shade to remainextended. If the tilt sensor 242 determines that the shade has tilted apredetermined number of degrees, the vehicle sunshade may automaticallyretract to avoid damage.

It will be understood that particular embodiments of the presentinvention may include a vehicle shade device wherein a length of theflexible shade is greater than a length of the vehicle and a width ofthe flexible shade is greater than a width of the vehicle.

Other particular embodiments of the present invention include anautomated sunshade that further comprises a remote control. The remotecontrol may provide for remotely activating the drive device and therebyextending and/or retracting the shade. In particular embodiments, thesunshade may be electrically coupled to an alarm system of the vehicle,such that when the alarm system is set, the sunshade may be extended andwhen the alarm system is deactivated, the sunshade is retracted.Additionally, the sunshade may further comprise a weather sensor whereinduring certain types of weather, the sensor will determine the weathertype and activate the drive device to retract the shade. For example,the sensor may be a wind sensor wherein the rate of travel of wind ismeasured by the sensor and the sunshade automatically retracts when therate of travel of wind is higher than a predetermined rate to protectthe sunshade from wind damage. Also, the sensor may be a thermometer,wherein if the ambient temperature drops below a predeterminedtemperature, the sunshade automatically retracts. The sensor accordingto embodiments of the present invention may be utilized with acontroller that activates a motor of the drive device. In theseparticular embodiments, the controller may comprise a memory wherein thepredetermined weather factors are stored and referenced by thecontroller to determine if retraction of the shade is required.

Further still, other particular embodiments of the present invention mayprovide for various types of power sources. For example, and withoutlimitation, the power source may be supplied by the battery of thevehicle, wherein a power inverter may be utilized to provide the properpower to activate the drive device. Power of the battery would only bedrawn upon during activation of the drive device. Another example,without limitation, may be an independent power source, such as abattery.

It will be understood that various ways of mounting an automated vehiclesunshade may be utilized without departing from the scope of thisdisclosure. For example, and without limitation, the mounting mayinclude devices such as, magnets, straps, clamps, tie downs, clips,fasteners, bolts, adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, and anycombinations thereof. The sunshade may be mounted on parts of a vehicleincluding, but not limited to a roof and a roof rack. Further, thesunshade may be permanently mounted on the vehicle, removably mounted onthe vehicle or integral to the vehicle. In instances where the sunshadeis integral to the vehicle, the compartment may be mechanically extendedfrom the roof of the vehicle before activating the drive device.

For example, an integral vehicle sunshade may be provided as a vehicleupgrade, similar to a sunroof. The sunshade may not be readilydistinguishable as a sunshade and provides a streamline aestheticappearance.

Particular embodiments of the present invention may include an automatedsunshade that is provided in various colors, shades, and surfacetreatments, so as to compliment the aesthetic qualities of the vehiclethe sunshade is mounted to. Additionally, the shade portion of thesunshade may be of a complimentary color and/or may be of a highlyreflective material and color.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that whilethe present invention includes an automated vehicle sunshade, thesunshade may be manually operated. For example, if there is a type ofmalfunction of the motor, the power source and/or the like, the sunshademay still be retractable and extendable without a power source. It willalso be understood that the automated vehicle shade may be utilized toshade areas around the vehicle depending on the placement of thesunshade on the vehicle. This enables shade to be provided near thevehicle for uses, such as, but not limited to, tailgate parties, roadside concessions, parade viewing and the like.

It will be understood that particular embodiments of the presentinvention may be used in other types of weather conditions, such as, butnot limited to snow and other cold weather. For example, the automatedvehicle sunshade may be used to shield the windows of a vehicle fromretaining snow on the windows, thereby requiring no need for brushing ofthe snow away from the windows with a snow brush. Additionally, coldweather is often accompanied with ice formation on windows and often indoor locks. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to shieldthe car, similar to a covering over a parking spot and prevent ice fromforming on the windows and the within the key lock, thereby requiring noscraping of ice with an ice scraper nor requiring the deicing of thelock.

Accordingly, the components defining any embodiment of an automatedvehicle sunshade may be formed of any of many different types ofmaterials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shapedobjects provided that the components selected are consistent with theintended operation of an automated vehicle sunshade. For example, thecomponents may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/orother like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber,aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials;polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers,Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/orthe like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide,Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof,and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials;metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbonsteel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, anycombination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such asaluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, anycombination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitablematerial; and/or any combination thereof.

Furthermore, the components defining any embodiment of an automatedvehicle sunshade may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufacturedseparately and then assembled together. Manufacture of these componentsseparately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuumforming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding,casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning,grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening,riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the componentsare manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one anotherin any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, anut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, anycombination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, amongother considerations, the particular material forming the components.Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powdercoating,

The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order tobest explain the present invention and its practical application and tothereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use theinvention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat the foregoing description and examples have been presented for thepurposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forthis not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit andscope of the forthcoming claims. For example, the shape of the sunshadeis not limited to a frusto-pyramidal shape, but may be any shape suchas, but not limited to a dome, a pyramid, and the like, so long as thesunshade provides the proper shade over the windows and portions of thecar in accordance with the present invention. Further, the sunshade maybe of various sizes for various sizes of vehicles, or alternatively, thesunshade may be one size that is universal for all or substantially allvehicle sizes.

1. A vehicle shade device comprising an automated sunshade that ispermanently mounted to the roof of a vehicle, the sunshade comprising: aflexible shade coupled to a plurality of rods; a drive mechanism coupledto the plurality of rods, wherein the plurality of rods telescopicallyextend and retract between an extended position and a retractedposition; and a compartment, wherein the flexible shade, the pluralityof rods and the drive mechanism are enclosed within the compartment whenthe sunshade is in the retracted position, and wherein the vehiclecomprises a plurality of windows and the sunshade provides shade to allof the windows when the sunshade is in the extended position.
 2. Thevehicle shade device of claim 1, wherein the sunshade repeatablyalternates between the extended position and a retracted position. 3.The vehicle shade device of claim 2, wherein the sunshade is in therefracted position during operation of the vehicle.
 4. The vehicle shadedevice of claim 1, further comprising a remote control for activatingthe sunshade from a remote position.
 5. The vehicle shade device ofclaim 1, further comprising a sensor, wherein the sensor is configuredto activate the sunshade in response to a sensed predetermined weathercondition.
 6. The vehicle shade device of claim 1, wherein a length ofthe flexible shade is greater than a length of the vehicle and a widthof the flexible shade is greater than a width of the vehicle.